'Belle' star Mbatha-Raw on film's elegance, ugliness

Gugu Mbatha-Raw talks about "Belle," her first lead role in a film, and the cast that surrounds her.

Gugu Mbatha-Raw in a scene from the film “Belle.”(Photo: Fox Searchlight Pictures)

Story Highlights

Mbatha-Raw was not aware of the story growing up.

She's happy that the film portrays the glamour and ugliness of aristocracy.

She knew a role in 'Doctor Who' would mean a devoted fan base.

Now this is the way to land your first starring role.

Gugu Mbatha-Raw has acted plenty, including a stint on "Doctor Who," but "Belle" is her first lead role in a film. She plays the title character, the child of a slave and a naval officer in 18th century England, raised in aristocracy but of mixed race, so she's also an outsider.

And the rest of the cast? Well, Tom Wilkinson, Emily Watson and Miranda Richardson aren't a bad bunch to work with. Mbatha-Raw talked about the film recently, as well as signing on to "Doctor Who" and what that means.

Born out of wedlock and of mixed race, Belle's artistocratic upbringing defies the conventions of 18th century slave era England. Still she is constantly reminded of the position imposed by her skin color and takes a chance to make a difference.

Question: You grew up in England. Did you know this story?

Answer: You know, I didn't know it growing up. The first time I actually saw or heard of the idea of this story was through a postcard of a painting, which inspired this, and that was about seven years ago, the first time I saw the painting. I was fascinated by this biracial, seemingly aristocratic girl in the painting, and the fact that nobody knows about her in the U.K. Well, they don't yet. That will change. (Laughs)

Q: It seems like one of those stories more people should know.

A: Exactly. I think that's what's really exciting about bringing it to the screen now. Even though it is a period drama, it does have very many contemporary resonances — dealing with the issues of race and gender and identity and class, which are all ideas we're still exploring today, very much so. Also, it's all bound up together in this romantic, kind of Jane Austen-type of love story. So for me, these things all come together at the time they were meant to.

Q: It's pretty fascinating.

A: What's fascinating to me about this story is that Dido (her character's nickname) has an ambiguous position in society, because even though she's brought up in the aristocracy, her mother was a slave. So she has these two sides to her identity, and that's what we explore in the movie. And there's something really romantic about a period drama, and that's what the fascination is, the escapism that going back in time affords us. I think that's the thing we all respond to, as well as the sweeping elegance of the costumes and the polite society and type of communication which has been lost today. I think if you have any romantic bone in your body, people look back at that period and just find it glamorous.

Q: But it's not all glamorous.

A: At least in this film what is also interesting is that, as well as the elegance of the time, we also explore the ugliness which is beneath the surface in the social and political context of the time, and the legal nuances of the slave trade. I feel like it's got a good combination.

Q: Does dressing up in those costumes and being on those sets help you build your character?

A: Oh, definitely. We filmed in real, gorgeous country houses. I don't think there were any sets. These were all real, historical houses in London or around the outskirts of London or the Isle of Man. You know, sitting in a carriage, that gives you so much of a different period, and the costumes and the corsets really inform your physicality. For me, I found that really helpful in knowing what it really must have felt like to be a woman in that time.

Q: It's a pretty strong cast.

A: (Laughs) Yeah, a bit. Obviously to work with this incredible cast, Tom Wilkinson, Emily Watson, Miranda Richardson, Penelope Wilton, you know, the list just goes on and on. For me, it was really exciting as my first lead in a film. I feel like I was surrounded by such a wonderful, experienced group of actors. Just working with someone like Tom Wilkinson, who brings such gravitas to the story, to such a female-centric story, he really brings the weight of that political angle and has so much honesty and warmth. I learned a lot from working with him.

Q: One "Doctor Who" question: Once you do that, some fans will never let it go. Was that a consideration before taking it?

A: Oh my gosh, no! I was so thrilled to be in "Doctor Who." It's such a wonderful experience, and the fan base that that show has never fails to surprise me. It's such a wonderful world. I'm really proud of having had the opportunity to work on that show.